Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
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Please note that in the verses above, the apostle Paul (1) refers to "being saved" as a future event and (2) teaches that being saved is "much more" than being justified by the blood of Christ and that it is "much more" than being reconciled to God. Being "justified by the blood of Christ" and being "reconciled to God" are other ways of saying "born again" or "converted". So, what Paul is teaching in these verses is that being saved is "much more" than being converted. Then, it logically follows that if salvation is "much more" than conversion, then salvation cannot be the same thing as conversion.
When we are born of the Spirit, we obtain the hope of salvation. Sinners have no hope of salvation, but saints do, because we are reconciled to God. And if we who are reconciled to God are faithful to Him, then when Jesus returns, He will bring salvation to us. This reward for obedience, the salvation of our souls, is "much more" than merely being born again. Some people who are born again will not be saved in the end because their deeds displeased God after their conversion. This is why Paul taught that being saved is a greater blessing than being born again.
In the two verses above, taken from Romans 5:9-10, Paul is teaching this simple truth: SALVATION IS BETTER THAN CONVERSION. Salvation is "much more" of a blessing than conversion is, and so, it is to be "much more" desired. Being justified by the blood of Christ is good, but being found worthy of salvation by Jesus when he returns will be much better.
It is important for the saints to know that Paul understood salvation to be different from conversion (otherwise, salvation could not be "much more" than conversion). Conversion is an experience of "new birth" available now; salvation is in the future. Salvation is the reward for faithful saints who Jesus will bring with him when he returns, as the Scripture says, "Behold, thy salvation cometh. Behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him" (Isa. 62:11).
Carefully consider the words Paul uses to describe salvation. His words reveal to us his understanding of what salvation is and when it will be given to the saints. He wrote in this same letter to the saints in Rome, "Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (13:11). Paul eagerly looked to the future for his salvation, and he labored to be found worthy to be saved when he stood before the Lord. If we think differently, we need to change our doctrine. Paul received his from God.